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Mavericks look to get back on track against Wizards

Nov 26, 2007 - 2:56 PM Washington (6-7) at Dallas (9-4) 8:30 pm EST

DALLAS (Ticker) -- The Dallas Mavericks look to end a two-game slide Monday when they host the Washington Wizards.

The Mavericks were edged, 97-95, by the Milwaukee Bucks in their last game Saturday after suffering a four-point loss to the Indiana Pacers on Friday.

Dirk Nowitzki scored a combined 40 points in the pair of setbacks and is now averaging 20.6 points per game this season. However, Nowitzki is well off his MVP-form from last season, when he averaged 24.6 points.

Josh Howard has helped shoulder the offensive load while Nowitzki continues to search for his rhythm, averaging 21.6 points a game. The fourth-year forward has scored at least 15 points in each of the Mavericks' games this season.

After opening the season with five straight losses, the Wizards bounced back with six consecutive wins.

But Washington has lost back-to-back games entering Monday's contest without All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas, who will miss at least the next three months after undergoing surgery Wednesday to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.